Basil Poledouris - Under Siege 2: Dark Territory VARESE DELUXE EDITION

[Jay 37,287]

 

 

 

Next we have a major expansion of Basil Poledouris’ epic score for Under Siege 2: Dark Territory. This score comes from 1995 and Poledouris was turning out one classic score after another. He was one of the great composers of thrilling action music and could also write amazing themes. But the 90s were a time of 30-minute albums and the original Under Siege 2 release came in at just 28:00. With an expanded running time of 75:00, this new Deluxe Edition is an epic revelation. 

Aboard a hijacked train in Colorado, there is only one man who can thwart a renegade techno-expert from destroying the Pentagon and Washington, D.C. Steven Seagal reprises the role of Casey Ryback, the mild-mannered cook and resourceful ex-Navy SEAL.

This time, the danger is on the rails instead of at sea, and the stakes are even higher.

1. Main Titles: Dark Territory (2:38) 
2. Meet Casey Ryback* (:40) 
3. Casey’s Family (2:05) 
4. The Train Departs* (:52) 
5. Compound Assault (1:49) 
6. Casey and Sarah / Choppers Approach* (1:05) 
7. Mercs Take Over Train* (5:18) 
8. Access Codes† (Extended Version) (2:34) 
9. Out The Window / Bye Bye Thriller* (3:41) 
10. Ryback Startles Bobby / China Blues* (1:58) 
11. A Billion Dollars / Modem Time* (2:55) 
12. Dane Shoots Airliner* (2:25) 
13. Scramble Map (1:05)
14. Intruder Discovered† (Extended Version) (4:47) 
15. Misery* (:41) 
16. Dead Not Dead (1:48) 
17. Casey Off The Train* (6:55) 
18. Cliff Fight / Train Pulls Away (2:14) 
19. Dane Starts Final Count† (1:40) 
20. Casey Reboards Train† (2:10) 
21. The Gates of Hell† (2:47) 
22. Hostage Car Shootout* (4:03) 
23. Kitchen Fight* (3:53) 
24. Penn’s Wish (4:20) 
25. Train Wreck* (1:36)
26. Casey’s Farewell / After The Train Is Gone (3:53)

SOURCE MUSIC:

27. The Pleasures Of Love (Grieg McRitchie)* (2:13) 
28. Unused Plaisir d’Amor (Basil Poledouris)* (1:59)

*Previously unreleased • †Contains previously unreleased material

 

 

https://www.varesesarabande.com/products/under-siege-2-dark-territory-the-deluxe-edition

[Pieter Boelen 740]

Awesome! There's some very good action music in there and a nice main theme too.

 

A lot less tracks than the promo! I assume a whole bunch will be combined.

I wonder what happened to the four alternate tracks that I've got lying around.

Maybe those were "fake" alternates? Or just not worth including?

[crocodile 7,984]

So... is this score worth having? I've never heard it. The clips sound nice enough.

 

Any comments from Poledouris' champions? @publicist? @Stefancos?

Karol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

It's a fun and over the top 90's action score. Not sure it requires a complete score release 

[publicist 4,643]

Tons of better scores out there.

[crocodile 7,984]

So not worth the money then?

 

Karol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

It depends on your disposable income, and how much you are interested in other stuff thats out there.

 

It's like a decent if unremarkable 90's Goldsmith action score. Maybe only a bit more special because its Basil.

[publicist 4,643]

Goldsmith action scores usually have a lot more to recommend listened to as pure music. Poledouris' speciality were huge epic canvases, not potboiler action scores.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

True.

[Marian Schedenig 8,173]

1 hour ago, publicist said:

Goldsmith action scores usually have a lot more to recommend listened to as pure music. Poledouris' speciality were huge epic canvases, not potboiler action scores.

 

Poledouris' specialty was finding the lyrical moments in between the action, which is why he couldn't shine much with dumb action fare.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Poledouris' music lacks the technical prowess of Goldsmith, but it has heart.

[Marian Schedenig 8,173]

2 hours ago, crocodile said:

So... is this score worth having? I've never heard it. The clips sound nice enough.

 

Any comments from Poledouris' champions? @publicist? @Stefancos?

 

The album first struck me as having a vague Starship Troopers vibe to it, but due to the reason I just mentioned, it never left a lasting impression.

 

That said, I caved and ordered it, if only because the same reasoning made me miss Die Hard 2, which I still regret.

[publicist 4,643]

The only Poledouris action scores of the 90's i recommend are 'Starship Troopers' and - brace yourself - 'Hot Shots Part Deux'.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Under Siege 2 is fun though. It has a patriotic fanfare every time Steven Seagal does anything.